The New Colony Presents the World Premiere of KATE AND SAM ARE NOT BREAKING UP By Joel Kim Booster Directed by Sarah Gitenstein Through December 14, 2013 at Collaboraction

The New Colony is pleased to continue its 2013-14 season with the world premiere of KATE AND SAM ARE NOT BREAKING UP by Joel Kim Booster, directed by Sarah Gitenstein, playing November 1 – December 14, 2013 at Collaboraction’s Room 300 Theater, 1579 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. KATE AND SAM ARE NOT BREAKING UP features Nick Delehanty, Rob Grabowski, Stephanie Shum and Mary Williamson. Tickets are available at www.thenewcolony.org. 

For years Kate and Sam have been Hollywood’s hottest couple – both onscreen and off. But as their Tween-Fantasy franchise of movies comes to a close, the duo decides to split up for good. As the media and fans alike erupt in speculation about the split, one superfan is determined to reunite his teen idols – by any means necessary. Through a combination of kidnapping, torture and couples therapy, KATE AND SAM ARE NOT BREAKING UP explores just what happens when our obsession with celebrity spins wildly out of control.

“Kate & Sam is the perfect blend of everything that Joel does well,” comments Co-Artistic Director Evan Linder. “His wickedly funny and knowing take on the cult of celebrity is everything we hoped his script would be. What surprised us was the empathy and understanding he showed for these outlandish characters. It’s a testament to Joel’s talent that we begin to feel deeply for a dangerously obsessed kidnapper and two spoiled young celebrities, even as they are mercilessly skewered.”

“We are very excited to welcome Sarah Gitenstein as Associate Artistic Director of the company,” adds Co-Artistic Director Andrew Hobgood.  “As a member of The New Colony for over four years, Sarah has already enriched our company in a number of different roles, most recently directing our Chicago cast of 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche in their Off-Broadway debut. Her talent onstage and off has made her an invaluable part of our company, and we’re thrilled to officially make her a part of the company’s leadership.”

Late Night Performances of THE TERRIBLE MAGIC OF GERTIE LAZARUS

The New Colony’s Associate Company Members will present free performances of the world premiere of THE TERRIBLE MAGIC OF GERTIE LAZARUS following KATE AND SAM ARE NOT BREAKING UP on Thursday, December 5, Friday, December 6, Thursday, December 12 and Friday, December 13 at 10 pm at Collaboraction.  This production is developed through The New Colony’s Associate Company Intensive Program, a new education program designed to foster The New Colony’s process of devising new work and create the next generation of arts leaders. For information, visit www.thenewcolony.org.

PRODUCTION DETAILS

 

Title:  KATE AND SAM ARE NOT BREAKING UP

Playwright: Joel Kim Booster

Director: Sarah Gitenstein

Cast: Nick Delehanty (Sam), Rob Grabowski (Bill), Stephanie Shum (Becky) and Mary Williamson (Kate).

Location: Collaboraction, Room 300 Theater, Flat Iron Arts Building, 1579 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago

Dates: Previews: Friday, November 1 at 7:30 pm, Saturday, November 2 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, November 3 at 7:30 pm

Press opening: Tuesday, November 5 at 7:30 pm

Opening: Thursday, November 7 at 7:30 pm

Regular run: Thursday, November 7 – Saturday, December 14, 2013

Curtain Times:  Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm

Tickets: Previews: $15. Regular Run: $20 ($25 Opening Night). $10 students/seniors. Tickets are available at www.thenewcolony.org.

About the Playwright:

Joel Kim Booster is a New York-based comedian, writer and actor.  A proud company member at The New Colony, he appeared in their critically-acclaimed productions of Frat and Down and Derby and served as a writing assistant on the original Chicago production of 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche, which played Off-Broadway and has had numerous regional productions across the U.S. Kate and Sam Are Not Breaking Up is his first full length production produced in Chicago. He is currently a writer and guest star on the critically acclaimed web-series, Kam Kardashian. The series, which premiered at the 2013 SXSW Festival, is centered around the long lost (and totally fictional) lesbian Kardashian sister.  Other acting credits include: Livewire Theatre Company, Silk Road Rising, Victory Gardens, Collaboraction, The Pavement Group, Abraham Werewolf and the Promethian Theatre Ensemble.  Comedy credits include Night Train with Wyatt Cenac, The Laugh Factory Chicago, The Lincoln Lodge, Entertaining Julia, Salonathon, the Paper Machete and Zanies Chicago.  His bits have also been seen at Steppenwolf, Victory Gardens and other venues.

About the Director:

Sarah Gitenstein is a company member at The New Colony and Collaboraction. Most recently, she directed 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche (winner Best Production at 2012 New York International Fringe Festival), which ran Off-Broadway at the Soho Playhouse and is currently on a national tour. Sarah has also directed for various theaters in the Chicago area, including Curious Theater, American Theater Company (Big Shoulder’s Festival), Fox Valley Repertory (Assistant Director, Art of Murder) Pavement Group (Amuse Bouche), and Victory Gardens Theater (One Minute Play Festival). Acting credits include work at Bohemian Theater, Curious Theater, Infusion Theater, Pavement Group, Teatro Vista, Theatre Seven and Timeline Theater. For The New Colony, Sarah has performed in Hearts Full of Blood, 11:11, The Warriors and Psychonaut Librarians. She was the casting director at Collaboraction for four years, where she worked on such plays as The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow, Jon and Sketchbook. She is a native of Washington, D.C., and earned her BA in Theater from Kenyon College.

About The New Colony

The New Colony, the 2011 recipient of the Broadway In Chicago Emerging Theater Award, strives to contribute original material to the American artistic canon and develop a new kind of theater going audience. Through collaboration with emerging artists of all disciplines, The New Colony continually develops new work and fresh perspectives. With the goal of exploring enticing subject matter and the common language of experience, The New Colony will cultivate the next generation of arts supporters.